[He shoves the knife back into the preserve jar. It strikes the bottom, swirling around the jam that he promptly slathers across that already coating his toast. The amount of it bends the ends as he lifts a slice to shove it into his mouth. Fifteen long seconds pass; he at least has the good grace not to speak with his mouth full.]
Thank heavens for small mercies, I suppose.
[An instant later, his mouth is full again. Jam splatters onto his fingers, leaving him to wipe them on a tea towel lying nearby. Perhaps he is hungry after sleeping all that time.]
[The way his housemate focuses on his meal feels quite deliberate, but Hendrik isn't about to deny him that just because he's concerned about Jasper once again being unconscious for a period of time. He manages a few bites before returning to the stove to turn off the heat. His forays into preparing tea have not been that great, so he is quite thankful there are things like teabags for easier consumption.]
Is your goal to simply stay awake this morning? Or do you wish to go somewhere?
I have to say I do not know. In truth, I hardly know where I might go.
[Is this a careful attempt to coax him out of the house, perhaps? To encourage him out of his shell? He carefully hides the scowling on his face, lips cracking in the corners at the thought he is being mothered. He is calm and placid with his tone but speaks with an impatience that is easy enough to notice.]
I find it hard to decide.
[Men like them had barely possessed the experience in having the freedom to decide. Their places of study? Chosen. Their roles in life? Proscribed.]
[Leaving the hot water and teabags in case it is later desired, Hendrik fetches another mug and returns to the table to pour himself coffee. He remains silent as he thinks through Jasper's replies. Perhaps he should not pursue the thought of trying to force him into activity to keep him awake.]
You need not decide right now. I will be running a few errands later and I thought you might want to get some air.
[Pick up more groceries. Bring a carrot or two to his horse at the stables. Find some vegetables seeds or something else to attempt growing something other than potatoes in his small garden.]
[Hendrik remains silent as he thinks of a reply. Jasper himself follows the same course of action; silently following Hendrik's path through the kitchen with wearied eyes. Silence refuses to leave his lips as he builds himself up to share what he is thinking. Fingers spread across the table. He inhales and pushes his breakfast aside. Looks at Hendrik and raises a brow.]
Do you not want some company? It should make the boredom of your chores a tad bearable.
[Efficient. Logical. A division of labour that makes it so that need for company is not so obvious. Maybe.]
Never turn down an extra pair of hands, or so they say.
[Does he want company? For an errand? It had never occurred to Hendrik that one might want company while they are going from place to place; his remarks earlier in the month about not seeing travel as a form of leisure extended to the task of running errands.
Such thoughts leave Hendrik quiet, and he reaches for his coffee to make his silence less obvious.]
You are welcome to come along.
[He would have to endeavor to understand the appeal.]
Of course. It hardly counts that you have a choice in the matter.
[That observation given volume, Jasper helps himself to his third slice of toast. He coats the golden surface with a layer of preserve and leaves the knife sticking out the jar. He already has a bite taken out of it when he continues on.]
[Jasper collects his mug of coffee and indulges in a sip. The bitterness hardly reaches his tongue, masked as it is by a copious amount of sugar. The thought of combining it with a dessert comes to mind and he finds himself thinking about one of the local bakeries. A cake for himself and perhaps a pastry for this ridiculous man.
He sets his cup down, still holding it between his fingers.]
Sounds like a plan, I dare say. The world seems bright enough today that I should not mind wasting an hour or two.
[Jasper's agreement has Hendrik quietly nodding to himself. They had a plan for the day, then.]
Very well. Should you need more time to prepare, just let me know. We are not on a strict schedule.
[He'll spend some time practicing magic in the meantime. Those trials have at least made him aware he should continue being earnest about his practice.]
More time is what he longed for over years. This man's appreciation. His company, his companionship. But surely that is not the reason Hendrik feels he needs more time? Does he suggest it out of worry?
He smiles to hide what he fears. That would be like him.]
Of course. I should only take minutes to decide what to wear, nothing more.
[Though combing his hair might take a good deal longer.]
[Hendrik pauses in his meal for only a moment, confused as he reaches to refill his coffee mug. He comments in the middle of lifting the drink to his lips.]
You do not intend to take a shower or a bath? Ensure you do not have salt chafing your skin?
Jasper cautiously lays his new slice of toast across the plate. He closes his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from any criticism. The questions are quickly tackled and immediately answered.]
[That was rather presumptuous, wasn't it? Jasper had mentioned it would only take a few minutes to gather clothes, but he shouldn't have called into question his fastidiousness. After another sip of his coffee, he reaches over to add a teaspoon of sugar.]
Then I will look forward to the outing. In an hour.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Thank heavens for small mercies, I suppose.
[An instant later, his mouth is full again. Jam splatters onto his fingers, leaving him to wipe them on a tea towel lying nearby. Perhaps he is hungry after sleeping all that time.]
no subject
Is your goal to simply stay awake this morning? Or do you wish to go somewhere?
no subject
[Is this a careful attempt to coax him out of the house, perhaps? To encourage him out of his shell? He carefully hides the scowling on his face, lips cracking in the corners at the thought he is being mothered. He is calm and placid with his tone but speaks with an impatience that is easy enough to notice.]
I find it hard to decide.
[Men like them had barely possessed the experience in having the freedom to decide. Their places of study? Chosen. Their roles in life? Proscribed.]
no subject
You need not decide right now. I will be running a few errands later and I thought you might want to get some air.
[Pick up more groceries. Bring a carrot or two to his horse at the stables. Find some vegetables seeds or something else to attempt growing something other than potatoes in his small garden.]
no subject
Do you not want some company? It should make the boredom of your chores a tad bearable.
[Efficient. Logical. A division of labour that makes it so that need for company is not so obvious. Maybe.]
Never turn down an extra pair of hands, or so they say.
no subject
Such thoughts leave Hendrik quiet, and he reaches for his coffee to make his silence less obvious.]
You are welcome to come along.
[He would have to endeavor to understand the appeal.]
no subject
[That observation given volume, Jasper helps himself to his third slice of toast. He coats the golden surface with a layer of preserve and leaves the knife sticking out the jar. He already has a bite taken out of it when he continues on.]
What time are you planning to hit the road?
no subject
[Even as he sets down his mug and replies, Hendrik realizes he doesn't necessarily have to make the goal returning in time for the next meal.]
Or we can find a place to eat while we are out.
no subject
He sets his cup down, still holding it between his fingers.]
Sounds like a plan, I dare say. The world seems bright enough today that I should not mind wasting an hour or two.
no subject
Very well. Should you need more time to prepare, just let me know. We are not on a strict schedule.
[He'll spend some time practicing magic in the meantime. Those trials have at least made him aware he should continue being earnest about his practice.]
no subject
More time is what he longed for over years. This man's appreciation. His company, his companionship. But surely that is not the reason Hendrik feels he needs more time? Does he suggest it out of worry?
He smiles to hide what he fears. That would be like him.]
Of course. I should only take minutes to decide what to wear, nothing more.
[Though combing his hair might take a good deal longer.]
no subject
You do not intend to take a shower or a bath? Ensure you do not have salt chafing your skin?
no subject
Jasper cautiously lays his new slice of toast across the plate. He closes his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from any criticism. The questions are quickly tackled and immediately answered.]
That goes without saying.
[His nose wrinkles.]
Really, Hendrik. You should let me finish.
no subject
[That was rather presumptuous, wasn't it? Jasper had mentioned it would only take a few minutes to gather clothes, but he shouldn't have called into question his fastidiousness. After another sip of his coffee, he reaches over to add a teaspoon of sugar.]
Then I will look forward to the outing. In an hour.